The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today (11 February) confirmed the passing of its long-standing chair Joe Saumarez Smith.
Joe Saumarez Smith had a long and successful career in the gaming sector. This included a spell as chairman for platform provider Bede Gaming, acquired by Merkur in 2020. He was also an active investor in the sector, as well as a widely respected consultant.
However Joe’s true passion was horse racing and he started his career in 1991 as a member of the UK’s Jockey Club graduate programme. From there he featured as a prominent voice in racing media.
He contributed to the coverage of horse racing in Racing Post, Financial Times, The Times, The Telegraph and Bloomberg.
“An influential and distinguished figure in British racing”
Joe joined the BHA in December 2014 as a non-executive director and was appointed chairman in 2022. The BHA credits Joe as a driving force in forging close ties with the betting sector.
“He played a vital convening role in dr..